Izaga 18
1 Ozehlukanisayo udinga okuloyisekayo kwakhe; ufohlela inhlakanipho yonke.
He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 Isithutha kasithokozi ekuqedisiseni, kodwa ukuze inhliziyo yaso iziveze.
A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 Lapho okhohlakeleyo esiza, kuza lokudelela, njalo kanye lenhloni, ihlazo.
When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
4 Amazwi omlomo womuntu angamanzi azikileyo; umthombo wenhlakanipho uyisifula esigobhozayo.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 Kakulunganga ukwemukela ubuso bokhohlakeleyo, ukuphambula olungileyo kusahlulelo.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 Indebe zesithutha zingena enkanini, lomlomo waso ubiza imivimvinya.
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 Umlomo wesithutha uyintshabalalo yaso, lendebe zaso zingumjibila womphefumulo waso.
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
8 Amazwi onyeyayo anjengezibondlo ezehlela kokungaphakathi kwesisu.
The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 Lolivila emsebenzini wakhe ungumfowabo womchithi.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
10 Ibizo leNkosi lingumphotshongo oqinileyo; olungileyo uzagijimela kuwo amiswe phezulu evikelekile.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
11 Inotho yesinothi ingumuzi waso oqinileyo, lanjengomthangala ophakemeyo ekucabangeni kwaso.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Mandulo kokubhujiswa inhliziyo yomuntu iyaziphakamisa, njalo mandulo kodumo kulokuthobeka.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 Ophendula indaba engakezwa, kuyibuwula kuye, lehlazo.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 Umoya womuntu uzasekela ukugula kwakhe, kodwa umoya owephukileyo, ngubani ongawuthwala?
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 Inhliziyo yoqedisisayo izuza ulwazi, lendlebe yabahlakaniphileyo idinga ulwazi.
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 Isipho somuntu siyamvulela ngokubanzi, simkhokhelela phambi kwabakhulu.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
17 Ongowokuqala ecaleni lakhe ubonakala elungile, kodwa umakhelwane wakhe ufika amhlole.
The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 Inkatho iqeda izingxabano, yehlukanise phakathi kwabalamandla.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 Umzalwane owoniweyo wedlula umuzi oqinileyo, lengxabano zinjengomgoqo wenqaba.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 Isisu somuntu siyasuthiswa yizithelo zomlomo wakhe, uzasuthiswa yinzuzo yendebe zakhe.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 Ukufa lempilo kusesandleni solimi; labaluthandayo bazakudla isithelo salo.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 Othole umfazi uthole okuhle, uzuze umusa eNkosini.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 Umyanga uyakhuluma ngokuncenga, kodwa isinothi siphendula izinto ezilukhuni.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 Umuntu wabangane abanengi uzachitheka, kodwa kulomngane onamathela kuleselamani.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
